Kiri Walden will start the day with a historical overview of climate change as a theme in historical Science Fiction, showing how the theme emerged and predicted many of the changes we have observed taking place years after they were written about in a fictional context.
Gabriel Burrow will then cover the ways in which climate and related themes have been depicted, explored and (re)imagined in science fiction games and graphic narratives. Topics will include resource extraction and environmental destruction, depictions of the long durational temporality of climate and environment, the interconnection of humanity and other life, and prospects of forms of ecological subjecthood and being-in-the-world.
Mia Chen Ma will follow by offering a critical examination of China’s dynamic involvement in climate change matters through the lens of Chinese science fiction. She will highlight how science fiction serves as the most effective genre for re-evaluating the ongoing dialogues surrounding China’s exploration of alternative urban infrastructures, clean energy initiatives, technological innovations, and their implications in the state promotion of 'ecological civilization'.
Kiri will wrap up the day’s talks with a look at recent and contemporary science fiction film, examining how films reflect real-world concerns (or sometimes actively fail to address them) but also how they shape our vision of climate change now and in the future.
Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 UTC on 29 January 2025.